Pakistan’s military announced Saturday that it has killed at least 92 militants believed to be responsible for a series of coordinated attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The operations also resulted in the deaths of 15 security personnel and 18 civilians.
The military accused India of supporting the militants, a claim Delhi has repeatedly denied. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist rebel group, claimed responsibility for the attacks, asserting that dozens of soldiers were killed. However, both claims have not been independently verified.
The violence marks one of the deadliest days in the region, which has experienced ongoing ethnic insurgency for decades. The Pakistani military stated that it launched extensive “clearance” operations across Balochistan to counter the militants and prevent further attacks. During the operation, key government buildings and roads in Quetta and other cities were sealed off, with mobile services jammed and regional train services suspended as precautionary measures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the military efforts, vowing to continue the fight against terrorism until total eradication.
Earlier on Saturday, militants armed with grenades and guns attacked 12 cities and towns across Balochistan, targeting police, paramilitary installations, prisons, and government buildings. The BLA has long accused the Pakistani government of exploiting the province’s rich mineral resources without benefiting the local population. Meanwhile, local activists have accused security forces of enforced disappearances, a claim Islamabad denies.
Balochistan, which shares a volatile border with Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, features a vast coastline along the Arabian Sea. The region, named after the Baloch tribe, is home to the largest ethnic group—the Balochs—followed by Pashtuns. Covering nearly 44% of Pakistan’s landmass, Balochistan accounts for about 5% of the country’s population of over 240 million but is the richest province in natural resources, including gas and minerals. The insurgency against the Pakistani government has persisted since independence in 1948, fueled by long-standing demands for greater autonomy.
